- Aug 19, 2015

DO you have an under active Thyroid?

Nutrients that may help to improve an underactive thyroid and where to find them..

1.Iodine.

As seaweed is rich in iodine and other trace minerals, it is considered to support Thyroid function. Without adequate iodine your body cannot manufacture thyroid hormones.

The simplest way to incorporate this into your diet is by eating kelp, nori, wakame and seafood like prawns, oysters, sardines and iodized salt, celtic salt or pink salt. Other sources include eggs, spinach, garlic, asparagus, mushrooms, zucchini and sesame seeds.

2.Selenium.

Selenium contains enzymes that protect the thyroid gland when it’s under stress. It also helps to regulate thyroid hormones helping maintain the correct amount of thyroid hormones in the tissues and blood, as well as organs such as the liver, kidneys and also the brain. Selenium also helps recycle Iodine stores.

The best food sources of selenium include brazil nuts, tuna, mushrooms, beef and sunflower seeds.

3.Zinc/ Copper and Iron

Zinc, copper and iron deficiency leads to leads to decreased thyroid hormones.

Food sources for zinc include:

Ginger, maple syrup, brazil nuts, pecans, almonds, peas, sunflower seeds, walnuts, beef, turkey, lamb oysters and sardines.

Copper sources in food include:

Dark chocolate, mushrooms, sunflower seeds, nuts, beef, oysters and lobster.

Iron is found in red meats, oysters, spinach, pumpkin seeds and blackstrap molasses.

4. Antioxidants including vitamin A, C, E and B

Antioxidants keep the body from the effects of oxidative stress and damage to the thyroid cells. Vitamin B helps with the production of Thyroid hormones.

Vitamin A can be found in spinach, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and cantaloupe.

Vitamin C can be found in Kiwifruit, citrus fruits, strawberries, guava, papaya, capsicum, green, broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts.

Vitamin E can be found in Almonds, sunflower seeds, beans and greens.

Vitamin B can be found in eggs, brewers yeast, mushrooms and almonds.